Christine Hebert, MSG Chaplain
(207) 743-5277
Cultivating a Thankful Heart
(Guest written by Tina Thurston of Norway Grange with the encouragement and guidance of Chaplain Christine Hebert.)
As Grange members, we are not only consistently reminded of our fraternity with each other but also reminded that we are servants of God. Good and faithful servants at that! Constantly challenged to not only build our own strengths and talents but to uplift and foster the strengths and talents of each other.
How then do we do this? What is it, good brother or sister reading this, that sparked your interest and desire to go beyond yourself to make a difference in the world around us?
Although I cannot answer that question for you, I can surmise from my own calling that the answer would have to be God’s knowledge. The knowledge that if we greet the world with unwavering thankfulness, the faith and belief that God is the creator and s/he loves us more than anything- “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if received with Thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” (I Timothy 4:4-5) We can do anything.
Like all Bible quotes, a wealth of implied instruction is there waiting for us to open ourselves to the true beauty of God’s plan for us.
God created everything. Everything is good. Therefore, there is nothing bad, and if we perceive anything as less than good, we know it is not of God, but a distraction away from our path. So, no matter what confronts us, God says to receive it with Thanksgiving. Being thankful is one of the most powerful ways to be. The act of giving thanks is consecrated by the word of God and prayer –
an ability to turn a frown upside down. To be witness to the awesome love our Lord and Savior has for us by doing his will. We are so very fortunate to know the power of a thankful heart and mind. We are so blessed with the abundant love a thankful countenance affords us. No wonder we are told to spread the good news!
As we continue to ponder the great mystery of this thing we call life, I remind you – “With God all things are possible.” (Mathew 19:26)
And most importantly – and I sincerely believe this to be a commandment: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
Carry on with a thankful heart, good and faithful servant, carry on!
Note that as requested, the words to Veterans of the USA are available in the Chaplain’s View of the Program Books and Information Page.